New French Shorts 2021

Back again for a second edition, this feature-length program includes seven delightful, funny, charming, provocative festival favorite French shorts. Included are some of the most exciting new cinematic voices from France including the Oscar-nominated animated short "Genius Loci" and Cesar winner "So What If Goats Die?" Boasting festival favorites from Cannes, Sundance, Berlinale, and beyond, this feature-length program of delightful, funny, charming, and provocative French shorts is sure to fill you with joie de vivre.

Genius Loci
dir. Adrien Mérigeau, 16m
One night, Reine, a young loner, sees within the urban chaos a mystical oneness that seems alive, like some sort of guide.

By a Hair
dir. Lauriane Escaffre and Yvonnick Muller, 21m
In three days, Élodie will sit the hair removal exam of her beautician diploma. Her father, Francis, a butcher, would prefer it if she helped him more in his butcher's shop.

Haute Cuisine
dir. Merryl Roche, 24m
Since Marie has joined the team at multi-starred chef Bruno Mercier's restaurant, all she thinks about is improving herself. But Thomas, the sous-chef who manages the kitchen on a day-to-day basis, is wary of this possible rival. During her shift, Marie cuts herself, letting a few drops of blood fall into and mix with her sauce. Bruno tastes Marie's dish and considers it perfect.

So What if the Goats Die?
dir. Sofia Alaoui, 23m
High in the Atlas Mountains, the young shepherd Abdellah and his father are hemmed in by snow at their goat pen. Their animals are wasting away. Abdellah must go to find supplies at a market village more than a day's walk away. When he arrives with his mule, he finds the village abandoned due to a strange event that has wreaked havoc on the lives of all believers.

And Then the Bear
dir. Agnès Patron, 14m
That very night, houses will burn. Men and women will tremble. Hordes of children will come together and howl as they dance alone on the ashes like wild bears. It only takes one shout to wake them all from their slumber!

Sukar
dir. Ilias El Faris, 10m
On the beach of Casablanca, the desire of two adolescents keeps a low profile. Children like adults keep an eye out. A fight distracts attention.

Olla
dir. Ariane Labed, 27m
Olla replied to an advertisement on a dating website for women from Eastern Europe. She has just moved in with Pierre who lives with his elderly mother. But nothing goes as planned.